Decades in the making, the Orange women’s tennis team made its own bit of history on Monday night. The Lady Panthers defeated Northern Nash 5-2 to win the first-ever state playoff dual match at Orange High Tennis Courts. Orange, which received the #13 seed, advanced to the round of 32 to face Terry Sanford in Fayetteville on Wednesday. Junior Adelyn Alvis now has an overall record of 26-1 this season after winning two matches against the Knights. Alvis won her match at #5 singles overall Joy Aycock 6-4, 6-0. Alvis and junior Casey Robinson teamed to sew up the playoff win at #3 doubles, beating Aycock and Ella Mallory 8-2. Robinson won her match at #6 singles over Mallory 6-2, 6-0. Orange won two tiebreaker matches in singles play, including freshman Kalynn Mason winning over Nash’s Taylor McIntyre 7-5, 4-6, 14-12. In terms of points, it was the longest match this year for Orange. Before 2021, the Orange women’s tennis team had never won a state playoff match. They’ve now won three over the past four years. Coach Justin Webb has led Orange to 62 dual matches since 2021. It was likely the final home match for Orange’s top singles player, Shannon Sollars, who has been a four-year starter that has played in the 3A State Tournament twice. Sollars won her final match at Orange by beating Esther Edgerton 6-3, 6-4.
Orange women’s tennis Adelyn Alvis & Casey Robinson discuss 1st ever home state playoff win
Decades in the making, the Orange women’s tennis team made its own bit of history on Monday night. The Lady Panthers defeated Northern Nash 5-2 to win the first-ever state playoff dual match at Orange High Tennis Courts. Orange, which received the #13 seed, advanced to the round of 32 to face Terry Sanford in Fayetteville on Wednesday.